The accurate reconstruction of hip anatomy and
biomechanics is thought to be important in achieveing good clinical
outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). To this end some
newer hip designs have introduced further modularity into the design
of the femoral component such that neckshaft angle and anteversion,
which can be adjusted intra-operatively. The clinical effect of
this increased modularity is unknown. We have investigated the changes
in these anatomical parameters following conventional THA with a
prosthesis of predetermined neck–shaft angle and assessed the effect
of changes in the hip anatomy on clinical outcomes. In total, 44 patients (mean age 65.3 years (standard deviation
( The mean pre-operative neck–shaft angle was significantly increased
by 2.8° from 128° ( Cite this article:
Few studies dealing with chondrosarcoma of the pelvis are currently
available. Different data about the overall survival and prognostic
factors have been published but without a detailed analysis of surgery-related complications.
We aimed to analyse the outcome of a series of pelvic chondrosarcomas
treated at a single institution, with particular attention to the
prognostic factors. Based on a competing risk model, our objective
was to identify risk factors for the development of complications. In a retrospective single-centre study, 58 chondrosarcomas (26
patients alive, 32 patients dead) of the pelvis were reviewed. The
mean follow-up was 13 years (one week to 23.1 years).Aims
Patients and Methods
We present the clinical and radiological results at a minimum
follow-up of five years for patients who have undergone multiple
cement-in-cement revisions of their femoral component at revision
total hip arthroplasty (THA). We reviewed the outcome on a consecutive series of 24 patients
(10 men, 14 women) (51 procedures) who underwent more than one cement-in-cement
revision of the same femoral component. The mean age of the patients was
67.5 years (36 to 92) at final follow-up. Function was assessed using the original Harris hip score (HHS),
Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and the Merle D’Aubigné Postel score (MDP).Aims
Patients and Methods
The pelvis rotates in the sagittal plane during daily activities.
These rotations have a direct effect on the functional orientation
of the acetabulum. The aim of this study was to quantify changes
in pelvic tilt between different functional positions. Pre-operatively, pelvic tilt was measured in 1517 patients undergoing
total hip arthroplasty (THA) in three functional positions – supine,
standing and flexed seated (the moment when patients initiate rising
from a seated position). Supine pelvic tilt was measured from CT
scans, standing and flexed seated pelvic tilts were measured from standardised
lateral radiographs. Anterior pelvic tilt was assigned a positive
value.Aims
Patients and Methods
To present our experience of using a combination of intra-articular
osteotomy and external fixation to treat different deformities of
the knee. A total of six patients with a mean age of 26.5 years (15 to
50) with an abnormal hemi-joint line convergence angle (HJLCA) and
mechanical axis deviation (MAD) were included. Elevation of a tibial
hemiplateau or femoral condylar advancement was performed and limb
lengthening with correction of residual deformity using a circular
or monolateral Ilizarov frame.Aims
Patients and Methods
To assess the effect of high tibial and distal femoral osteotomies
(HTO and DFO) on the pressure characteristics of the ankle joint. Varus and valgus malalignment of the knee was simulated in human
cadaver full-length legs. Testing included four measurements: baseline
malalignment, 5° and 10° re-aligning osteotomy, and control baseline
malalignment. For HTO, testing was rerun with the subtalar joint
fixed. In order to represent half body weight, a 300 N force was applied
onto the femoral head. Intra-articular sensors captured ankle pressure.Aims
Materials and Methods
A possible solution for the management of proximal femoral bone
loss is a modular femoral endoprosthesis (EPR). Although the outcome
of EPRs in tumour surgery has been well described, the outcome of
their use in revision hip surgery has received less attention. The
aim of this study was to describe the outcome of using EPR for non-neoplastic
indications. A retrospective review of 79 patients who underwent 80 EPRs for
non-neoplastic indications was performed, including the rates of
complication and survival and the mean Oxford Hip Scores (OHS),
at a mean of five years post-operatively. The mean age at the time
of surgery was 69 years (28 to 93) and the mean number of previous operations
on the hip was 2.4 (0 to 17). The most common indications for EPR
implantation were periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) (n = 40),
periprosthetic fracture (n = 12) and failed osteosynthesis of a
proximal femoral fracture or complex trauma (n = 11).Objectives
Methods
We describe the clinical and radiological results
of cementless primary total hip replacement (THR) in 25 patients
(18 women and seven men; 30 THRs) with severe developmental dysplasia
of the hip (DDH). Their mean age at surgery was 47 years (23 to
89). In all, 21 hips had Crowe type III dysplasia and nine had Crowe
type IV. Cementless acetabular components with standard polyethylene
liners were introduced as close to the level of the true acetabulum
as possible. The modular cementless S-ROM femoral component was
used with a low resection of the femoral neck. A total of 21 patients (25 THRs) were available for review at
a mean follow-up of 18.7 years (15.8 to 21.8). The mean modified
Harris hip score improved from 46 points pre-operatively to 90 at
final follow up (p <
0.001). A total of 15 patients (17 THRs; 57%) underwent revision of the
acetabular component at a mean of 14.6 years (7 to 20.8), all for
osteolysis. Two patients (two THRs) had symptomatic loosening. No
patient underwent femoral revision. Survival with revision of either
component for any indication was 81% at 15 years (95% CI 60.1 to
92.3), with 21 patients at risk. This technique may reduce the need for femoral osteotomy in severe
DDH, while providing a good long-term functional result. Cite this article:
We present a minimum 20-year follow-up study of 382 cemented
Exeter Universal total hip arthroplasties (350 patients) operated
on at a mean age of 66.3 years (17 to 94). All patients received the same design of femoral component, regardless
of the original diagnosis. Previous surgery had been undertaken
for 33 hips (8.6%). During the study period 218 patients with 236
hips (62%) died, 42 hips (11%) were revised and 110 hips (29%) in
96 patients were available for review. The acetabular components
were varied and some designs are now obsolete, however they were
all cemented.Aims
Patients and Methods
We evaluated an operative technique, described
by the Exeter Hip Unit, to assist accurate introduction of the femoral
component. We assessed whether it led to a reduction in the rate
of leg-length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty (THA). A total of 100 patients undergoing THA were studied retrospectively;
50 were undertaken using the test method and 50 using conventional
methods as a control group. The groups were matched with respect
to patient demographics and the grade of surgeon. Three observers
measured the depth of placement of the femoral component on post-operative
radiographs and measured the length of the legs. There was a strong correlation between the depth of insertion
of the femoral component and the templated depth in the test group
(R = 0.92), suggesting accuracy of the technique. The mean leg-length
discrepancy was 5.1 mm (0.6 to 21.4) pre-operatively and 1.3 mm
(0.2 to 9.3) post-operatively. There was no difference between Consultants
and Registrars as primary surgeons. Agreement between the templated
and post-operative depth of insertion was associated with reduced
post-operative leg-length discrepancy. The intra-class coefficient
was R ≥ 0.88 for all measurements, indicating high observer agreement.
The post-operative leg-length discrepancy was significantly lower
in the test group (1.3 mm) compared with the control group (6.3
mm, p <
0.001). The Exeter technique is reproducible and leads to a lower incidence
of leg-length discrepancy after THA. Cite this article:
Hip replacement is a very successful operation and the outcome is usually excellent. There are recognised complications that seem increasingly to give rise to litigation. This paper briefly examines some common scenarios where litigation may be pursued against hip surgeons. With appropriate record keeping, consenting and surgical care, the claim can be successfully defended if not avoided. We hope this short summary will help to highlight some common pitfalls. There is extensive literature available for detailed study.
The surgical management of ankle arthritis with tibiotalar arthrodesis
is known to alter gait, as compared with normal ankles. The purpose
of this study was to assess post-operative gait function with gait
before arthrodesis. We prospectively studied 20 patients who underwent three-dimensional
gait analysis before and after tibiotalar arthrodesis. Cadence,
step length, walking velocity and total support time were assessed.
Kinetic parameters, including the moment and power of the ankle
in the sagittal plane and hip power were also recorded.Aims
Patients and Methods
Patients undergoing femoral lengthening by external fixation
tolerate treatment less well when compared to tibial lengthening.
Lengthening of the femur with an intramedullary device may have
advantages. We reviewed all cases of simple femoral lengthening performed
at our unit from 2009 to 2014. Cases of nonunions, concurrent deformities,
congenital limb deficiencies and lengthening with an unstable hip
were excluded, leaving 33 cases (in 22 patients; 11 patients had
bilateral procedures) for review. Healing index, implant tolerance
and complications were compared.Aims
Patients and Methods
Tissue responses to debris formed by abrasion of polymethylmethacrylate
(PMMA) spacers at two-stage revision arthroplasty for prosthetic
joint infection are not well described. We hypothesised that PMMA
debris induces immunomodulation in periprosthetic tissues. Samples of tissue were taken during 35 two-stage revision arthroplasties
(nine total hip and 26 total knee arthroplasties) in patients whose
mean age was 67 years (44 to 85). Fourier transform infrared microscopy
was used to confirm the presence of PMMA particles. Histomorphometry
was performed using Sudan Red and Haematoxylin-Eosin staining.
CD-68, CD-20, CD-11(c), CD-3 and IL-17 antibodies were used to immunophenotype
the inflammatory cells. All slides were scored semi-quantitatively
using the modified Willert scoring system.Aims
Patients and Methods
Reconstruction of the acetabulum after failed total hip arthroplasty
(THA) can be a surgical challenge in the presence of severe bone
loss. We report the long-term survival of a porous tantalum revision
acetabular component, its radiological appearance and quality of
life outcomes. We reviewed the results of 46 patients who had undergone revision
of a failed acetabular component with a Paprosky II or III bone
defect and reconstruction with a hemispherical, tantalum acetabular
component, supplementary screws and a cemented polyethylene liner.Aims
Patients and Methods
Proximal femoral varus osteotomy improves the
biomechanics of the hip and can stimulate normal acetabular development
in a dysplastic hip. Medial closing wedge osteotomy remains the
most popular technique, but is associated with shortening of the
ipsilateral femur. We produced a trigonometric formula which may be used pre-operatively
to predict the resultant leg length discrepancy (LLD). We retrospectively
examined the influence of the choice of angle in a closing wedge
femoral osteotomy on LLD in 120 patients (135 osteotomies, 53% male,
mean age six years, (3 to 21), 96% caucasian) over a 15-year period
(1998 to 2013). A total of 16 of these patients were excluded due
to under or over varus correction. The patients were divided into
three age groups: paediatric (<
10 years), adolescent (10 to
16 years) and adult (>
16 years). When using the same saw blades
as in this series, the results indicated that for each 10° of angle
of resection the resultant LLD equates approximately to multiples
of 4 mm, 8 mm and 12 mm in the three age groups, respectively. Statistical testing of the 59 patients who had a complete set
of pre- and post-operative standing long leg radiographs, revealed
a Pearson’s correlation coefficient for predicted This study identified a geometric model that provided satisfactory
accuracy when using specific saw blades of known thicknesses for
this formula to be used in clinical practice. Cite this article:
There is increasing global awareness of adverse
reactions to metal debris and elevated serum metal ion concentrations
following the use of second generation metal-on-metal total hip
arthroplasties. The high incidence of these complications can be
largely attributed to corrosion at the head-neck interface. Severe
corrosion of the taper is identified most commonly in association
with larger diameter femoral heads. However, there is emerging evidence
of varying levels of corrosion observed in retrieved components
with smaller diameter femoral heads. This same mechanism of galvanic
and mechanically-assisted crevice corrosion has been observed in
metal-on-polyethylene and ceramic components, suggesting an inherent
biomechanical problem with current designs of the head-neck interface. We provide a review of the fundamental questions and answers
clinicians and researchers must understand regarding corrosion of
the taper, and its relevance to current orthopaedic practice. Cite this article:
In order to prevent dislocation of the hip after total hip arthroplasty
(THA), patients have to adhere to precautions in the early post-operative
period. The hypothesis of this study was that a protocol with minimal
precautions after primary THA using the posterolateral approach
would not increase the short-term (less than three months) risk
of dislocation. We prospectively monitored a group of unselected patients undergoing
primary THA managed with standard precautions (n = 109, median age
68.9 years; interquartile range (IQR) 61.2 to 77.3) and a group
who were managed with fewer precautions (n = 108, median age 67.2
years; IQR 59.8 to 73.2). There were no significant differences between
the groups in relation to predisposing risk factors. The diameter
of the femoral head ranged from 28 mm to 36 mm; meticulous soft-tissue
repair was undertaken in all patients. The medical records were
reviewed and all patients were contacted three months post-operatively
to confirm whether they had experienced a dislocation. Aims
Patients and Methods
Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is challenging
when there is severe loss of bone in the proximal femur. The purpose
of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes
of revision THA in patients with severe proximal femoral bone loss
treated with a fluted, tapered, modular femoral component. Between
January 1998 and December 2004, 92 revision THAs were performed
in 92 patients using a single fluted, tapered, modular femoral stem
design. Pre-operative diagnoses included aseptic loosening, infection
and peri-prosthetic fracture. Bone loss was categorised pre-operatively
as Paprosky types III-IV, or Vancouver B3 in patients with a peri-prosthetic
fracture. The mean clinical follow-up was 6.4 years (2 to 12). A
total of 47 patients had peri-operative complications, 27 of whom
required further surgery. However, most of these further operations
involved retention of a well-fixed femoral stem, and 88/92 femoral
components (97%) remained Revision THA in patients with extensive proximal femoral bone
loss using the Link MP fluted, tapered, modular stem led to a high
rate of osseointegration of the stem at mid-term follow-up. Cite this article: